The USDA recently announced $31 million in grants now available to support programs that make fresh, farmers market produce more readily available to those who rely on food stamps.

Everyone deserves to eat healthful food.
As NPR reports, these new funds — which were created as a result of the 2014 Farm Bill — will go towards subsidizing purchases made at these high-quality local markets. For example, when a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient spends $10 of benefits at a farmers market, the grants will subsidize another $10, and the recipient will receive $20 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables. The program is modeled after the Michigan-based Double Up Food Bucks initiative organized by the Fair Food Network and the nationwide program by Wholesome Wave, dubbed the Double Value Coupon program.

Good for families, good for communities.
Not only does the funding help SNAP participants get healthier, tastier groceries, but it also helps local farmers. Explains Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack: "Helping families purchase more fresh produce is clearly good for families' health, helps contribute to lower health costs for the country, and increases local food sales for family farmers." In addition to the food stamps subsidy program, the 2014 bill allows for $52 million to fund organic farming as well as "food hubs" that connect large-scale buyers to local growers.